MUMBAI, India - Poco has officially launched its highly anticipated F7 5G in India, introducing a device that aims to redefine the "mid-range flagship" segment with a colossal 7,550 mAh battery and the powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor.
Priced at ₹35,999 for the 12GB/256GB model and ₹37,999 for the 12GB/512GB variant, the phone goes on sale July 1 exclusively on Flipkart.
The device features a 6.83-inch 1.5K pOLED display with a 120 Hz dynamic refresh rate and up to 3,200 nits of peak brightness, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i.
The new F7 5G sports a 50 MP main camera alongside an 8 MP ultrawide lens and a 20 MP selfie camera, running on HyperOS 2.0 based on Android 15.
The Indian model's 7,550 mAh battery is a significant upgrade from the 6,500 mAh cell on its global counterpart, supported by a 90W in-box charger and 22.5W reverse charging.
With the company promising four years of major OS updates and six years of security patches, Poco is making a bold statement about longevity and performance in a market segment dominated by swift turnovers.
But how does this news resonate on the ground? We went to Mumbai to find out.
A Market on the Cusp: A Field Reporter’s Perspective
As a field tech reporter, you learn quickly that spec sheets and press releases are just the beginning of the story.
The real narrative unfolds on the streets, in the hands of the people who will actually buy and use these devices.
Here in Mumbai, a city that breathes technology and commerce, the buzz around the Poco F7 5G isn't just about the phone itself - it's about a shifting consumer mindset.
I started my day in a bustling electronics market in Grant Road, where the air is thick with the scent of soldering fumes and the sound of bargaining.
Mobile retailer Rajesh Mehta, a man who has seen a thousand phones come and go, was holding a pre-launch dummy unit of the F7 5G.
"Poco has always been a brand for the 'performance guy,' the gamer, the one who wants the best specs without paying for a premium brand name," he said, wiping the screen with a microfiber cloth.
"But this time, they've done something different with this battery. 7,550 mAh is not just a number; it's a statement.
It’s a full day of heavy use, maybe even two days for a normal user. That’s a massive selling point, especially in India where power banks are as common as water bottles.”
Mehta, however, pointed to a potential sticking point. “Look, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 is a beast.
But the camera is where the real competition is. Customers at this price point are also looking at devices from OnePlus and Realme, which have a reputation for good cameras.
Poco’s cameras have always been ‘serviceable,’ but not class-leading.
We'll see if the raw power can make up for that for the average user."
The Voices of Mumbai: A City Weighs In
From the tech hub, I moved to a local college campus, a place where the latest gadgets are not just tools but social currencies.
I met Priya, a third-year engineering student. She was using an iPhone 14, and her friends were all around her, glued to their screens.
"Poco F7? I saw the specs online," she said, her eyes lighting up. "The battery is insane. I'm constantly on my phone - social media, lectures, streaming shows.
"Poco F7? I saw the specs online," she said, her eyes lighting up. "The battery is insane. I'm constantly on my phone - social media, lectures, streaming shows.
My iPhone needs to be charged twice a day, sometimes more.
This Poco F7 is like having a power bank inside your phone. But honestly, I'm an Apple user. The ecosystem is too strong. And the camera is a big deal.
For my Instagram and TikTok, I need the best shots. I'm not sure if Poco can compete with that, even with all the AI features they've added."
Her friend, Rohan, a keen mobile gamer, had a different take. "For gaming, a big battery and a powerful processor are all that matter.
Her friend, Rohan, a keen mobile gamer, had a different take. "For gaming, a big battery and a powerful processor are all that matter.
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and that cooling system they've put in? That’s what I care about. My current phone gets hot after just one BGMI match.
This F7 looks like it can handle a full day of gaming without a sweat. And the price is fantastic for that kind of performance. I'm definitely going to check it out.”
Leaving the campus, I hopped into a taxi. The driver, a soft-spoken man named Suresh, spends his entire day navigating the city’s chaotic streets with his phone mounted on the dashboard for GPS and calls.
“This new phone with the big battery, you’re saying?” he asked, adjusting his rearview mirror. “That’s a good thing.
Leaving the campus, I hopped into a taxi. The driver, a soft-spoken man named Suresh, spends his entire day navigating the city’s chaotic streets with his phone mounted on the dashboard for GPS and calls.
“This new phone with the big battery, you’re saying?” he asked, adjusting his rearview mirror. “That’s a good thing.
My old phone, it's always running out of power.
I have to keep it plugged in. This new one, if it lasts longer, that means less time worrying about charging, less time waiting for it to charge.
It's a simple thing, but it makes a big difference for someone like me. But what's the price? ₹35,000? Hmm. That’s a lot for a taxi driver. Maybe I will wait for a sale."
An autorickshaw driver named Vinod echoed a similar sentiment, though with a bit more color. “What do I need a fancy phone for? To watch my movies and listen to songs while I wait for a passenger.
An autorickshaw driver named Vinod echoed a similar sentiment, though with a bit more color. “What do I need a fancy phone for? To watch my movies and listen to songs while I wait for a passenger.
The battery is the only thing that matters. My phone is my entertainment, my business.
If the battery is weak, everything stops.
I will go for the Poco F7 5G if it gives me more uptime, but it has to be reliable. No heating issues, no sudden restarts. Poco has a good reputation for performance, so let's hope this one lives up to it.”
The Apple Owner’s Skepticism
Finally, I spoke with Arvind, a car owner who was leaving a Starbucks, holding his brand new iPhone 15 Pro Max.He was the kind of user who represents the top end of the market, a consumer who has made a conscious choice to invest in the Apple ecosystem.
"Poco F7? No, I don't follow those brands," he said with a polite dismissal. "I'm a heavy user, but I also value a smooth, bug-free experience and a phone that just works.
"Poco F7? No, I don't follow those brands," he said with a polite dismissal. "I'm a heavy user, but I also value a smooth, bug-free experience and a phone that just works.
The camera, the haptics, the build quality - everything on the iPhone is top-tier. I also need the security and privacy that comes with iOS.
I can't imagine switching to an Android phone, no matter how big the battery is or how fast the processor is.
For me, the value is not just in the specs, but in the entire package and the brand's reliability.
The Poco F7 may be a 'flagship killer' in specs, but it's not killing any flagships when it comes to the overall user experience."
The Poco F7 5G is a fascinating case study. On paper, it is a monster, a "performance beast" as many tech sites are calling it.
Final The Voices of Mumbai: A City Weighs In
The Poco F7 5G is a fascinating case study. On paper, it is a monster, a "performance beast" as many tech sites are calling it.
The Indian variant, with its souped-up 7,550 mAh battery, is a masterstroke, addressing one of the biggest pain points for Indian users: battery anxiety.
It’s a brilliant, user-centric decision that differentiates it from its global sibling.
However, my time on the streets of Mumbai reveals a complex reality.
For a certain segment—the mobile gamers and the spec-hungry users like Rohan - the Poco F7 5G is a dream come true.
For a certain segment—the mobile gamers and the spec-hungry users like Rohan - the Poco F7 5G is a dream come true.
For the working class, like Suresh and Vinod, it represents a promise of reliability and less downtime.
But for others, like Priya and Arvind, the conversation is much broader.
They are looking beyond raw numbers to brand reputation, camera performance, and the seamless integration of a larger ecosystem.
Poco has front-loaded the F7 5G with the most compelling specs in its class.
Poco has front-loaded the F7 5G with the most compelling specs in its class.
The 8s Gen 4 chipset and the mammoth battery are its undeniable core strengths.
The question now is whether this singular focus on performance and endurance is enough to win over a diverse Indian market that has grown more discerning, and more demanding, than ever before.
From my vantage point here in Mumbai, the battle isn't just about specs anymore; it's about what those specs mean to the lives of people on the ground.
And in that regard, the Poco F7 5G is poised to make a significant impact, even if it doesn't win over everyone.
Read more info about by visiting official poco site
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